COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY AWARDS FATHER CONNIE DOUGHERTY SCHOLARSHIPS

(Sarasota – June 15, 2006)  The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County announced a record breaking total for the both the number of scholarships and the dollar amount awarded for the fiscal year just ending, which runs from June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006.

A total of 413 scholarships valued at $834,353 were awarded to traditional students in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties-those graduating high school seniors who are going directly onto college-and adult learners-adults resuming their education or career training after being out in the workforce since high school.

There are currently 44 scholarship funds within the Community Foundation. Individuals and organizations create these funds in memory of loved ones or to encourage young people pursuing a particular field of study to be successful in their dreams of higher education. Each scholarship fund is unique and has different guidelines and eligibility requirements. Most are awarded on the basis of financial need, academic excellence and commitment to community and school. Since 1987, the Community Foundation has awarded $4.33 million in scholarships.

Among the scholarships awarded is the Father Connie Dougherty Scholarship. Father Connie was a man with no limits of time or place or good causes. He was known and loved throughout Sarasota County by the elderly, the sick, the young of all sects or ages, by civic and community leaders. He appeared at baptisms and swimming meets, Youth for Christ sings and juvenile court hearings, high school baccalaureates and little league games, the White Sox dugout, football stadiums, and backstage at the Players. He was ever present at memorial services, church guilds, education meetings, and fair openings.

An eloquent speaker, an understanding counselor, a prayerful celebrant, Father Connie delivered inspiring invocations at governmental sessions, service clubs, sporting events, school graduations, welfare fund drives and circuses. No group was too small nor any cause seemingly too unimportant to receive his attention and his help.

He was a member of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, a director of the Boys Club, vice president of the Ministerial Association, chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Sailor Circus, Ringling Redskins and Breakfast Optimists and director of the Civic League. He was found readily at a Protestant Church or a synagogue.

Cornelius "Connie" Dougherty was ordained into the holy priesthood in St. Augustine, Florida, on May 19, 1955. He became assistant pastor at St. Joseph's Parish in Lakeland, then pastor of St. Edward's in Stark. He served as chaplain to the Florida State Prison and the Northeast State Mental Hospital, founded St. Mary's parish at MacClenny and Camp St. John near Jacksonville. He served St. Joseph's parish in Bradenton, and in June, 1966, came to Sarasota's Incarnation Parish.

Father Connie was a faithful priest who has become the area's universal pastor. In December, 1975, at age 47, Father Connie passed away. . . but his memory and contributions will live forever.

The Father Connie Scholarship Fund was established as a perpetual trust to further the education of deserving young people of all race, color, creed, sex and national origin, about whom Father Connie cared so much.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council in 1979 to meet the needs of their clients seeking to leave a charitable legacy of lasting impact. With current assets of more than $140 million in over 550 different funds, the Community Foundation manages and invests these funds and awards grants and scholarships totaling in excess of $6 million annually.

Individuals and organizations are encouraged to create permanent funds to support the causes they care about most in the areas of education, the arts, animal welfare, the environment and health and human services. The Community Foundation's motto is: For good. For ever. ® Stewart W. Stearns is president & CEO of the Community Foundation. Sophia LaRusso is board chair. For more information about the Father Connie Dougherty Scholarship Fund, please call 941-955-3000.